AN elderly couple who died when their car crashed with a tipper lorry have been named.Driver Martin Mallon, 75, was killed in the accident and his wife Ceinwen, 77, died in hospital later. The couple, from Erw Salusbury, Denbigh, were travelling on the A541 near Afon Wen, Mold when their silver hatchback crashed with the white Scania lorry. The accident happened at about 10am on Wednesday.

Police closed the road as firefighters and paramedics battled to free the pensioners from the car. Mr Mallon was pronounced dead at the scene as his wife was airlifted to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan. But doctors couldn’t save her and she was pronounced dead later. The male driver of the lorry was treated by paramedics at the scene. He is not believed to have been injured. The A541 was re-opened six hours later, at 4pm.

Police told the Mallons’ devastated relatives of about the tragedy on Wednesday afternoon. Officers confirmed the couple’s names on Wednesday night.

A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said crews from Denbigh and Holywell and a specialist Emergency Tender from Colwyn Bay released an injured woman from the car, and a man, who died at the scene. Officers appealed for anyone who saw the crash to ring 0845 607 1001 (Welsh language line) or 0845 607 1002 (English language line).